Mike Jackson ready for challenge

Mike Jackson admits it's been a "whirlwind" couple of days for him since being asked to take temporary charge of the Shrewsbury Town team.

Mike has been asked by chairman Roland Wycherley to take charge of the next three games, the trips to Swindon and Colchester plus the home match against Brentford, following Graham Turner's decision to step down.

"I spoke to the manager and he explained to me the decision he had come to," said Mike. "I had a good chat with him on Tuesday and since then it's been a bit of a whirlwind really."

Mike enjoyed a good relationship with GT and said he was sad to see him go.

"I'm disappointed in a big way because he did a lot for me. He gave me my big chance to get into coaching so I owe him a lot that way.

"It's been sad to see him go as he's a very, very good man.

"I've learnt a lot from him, dealing with players, and he's been a gentleman really.

"The stuff he said to me about the caretaker position, the encouragement he gave me, and he said be ready to go - that means something coming from a man like him."

Mike is now working determined to do all he can to lead Town to better results having discussed his caretaker role with the chairman.

He said: "I had a good discussion with the chairman the last couple of days. He just wants me to take charge for the next three games, bring some players in if we can, and get back to winning some games.

"The biggest thing for me is to deal with the players now, prepare them one game at a time, which we're going to try and do, starting with Swindon on Saturday."

Mike added he was ready for the challenge ahead.

He said: "I've worked the last three and a half years coaching the team, the reserves, and I've been to other clubs studying all the time, Liverpool, Man United.

"I've spoken to managers, I've done all my badges, so I've done enough to prepare as much as I can, but you can't prepare until you're actually sat in the seat.

"All I will say is that I'll do my very, very best to make sure I do what I'm good at."

Mike is not looking not too far ahead at what the future might hold, preferring to concentrate on the short term.

"Obviously, you want to be involved and just want to stay in football, that's what your goal is, to be the manager, to be the No 1, but I've just got to concentrate all my efforts at this moment in time on one game and making sure the lads are ready to go."